Buckle.



No. 649,0l. Patented may a|9oo-. A y s. A. na Lona.

BUCKLE.

v (Application med Feb. 24, 1900.) l (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l-.

- Patented May 8,. |900.. G. A. DE L oNG.

BucKLE.

(Application led Feb. 24,1900.)

No. 649,I0l.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2` (No Model.)

NITED STATES PATENT trice.

GEORGE A. DE LONG, OF OARTRVILLE, ILLINOIS.

BUCKLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 649,101, dated May 8, 1900.

Application iiled February 24, 1900. Serial No. 6,393. (No model.)

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. DE LONG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Carterville, in the county of Villiamson and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Buckle, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an attaching device having a general application to buckles, supporters, and the like; and the object of the same is to provide simple and effective means for affording quick securement and adjustment of bands, straps, and analogous devices without requiring the extended use of stitches or the delay incident to the ordinary methods of fastening buckles, supporters, and other similar devices to straps or bands and attain a positive fastening means which will not be loosened by strain exerted thereon in different directions and wherein one part relatively coacts with an adjacent part to bind or clamp the extremity of the band or strap, the latter being quickly adjustable to increase or decrease its girth extent.

The invention consists,primarily,in a frame having a plurality of loosely-mounted bars which are coextensive and conjointly act to set up a positive clamping action on the part of a strap, band, or other device in engagement therewith.

The invention further consists of opposite loops having a plurality of loosely-mounted bars thereon which automatically assemble in clamping relation when strain is exerted on a band or straplin engagement therewith, to thu's positively hold the said engaged portion of the band or strap and prevent slipping of the latter, and, moreover, maintain the bars in conjunctive relation.

The invention further consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed. i

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective View of a frame provided with'a grip or handle and a plurality of loosely-mounted bars embodying the features of the invention and adaptable for engagement with a broad band to provide a luggage-carrier or analogous device. Fig. 2-is a transverse vertical-section of the device shown in Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the buckle, show- 'covering, to provide a grip or handle.

ing a plurality of loosely-mounted bars there'-V on of a nature somewhat similar to the arrangement shown by Figs. l and 2. Fig. 4t is a longitudinal vertical section of the device shown by Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a modified form of frame having a plurality of loosely-mountL ed bars at opposite extremities and also adapted to receive a broad band to serve as a luggage or other carrying device. Fig. G is a transverselvertical section of the device shown by Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a buckle embodying the features of the invention and showing a device similar to that illustrated by Fig. 3 and employing a less number of loosely-mounted bars. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal vertical section of the device shown by Fig. 7 when horizontally disposed. Fig. 9 isa perspective view of a further form of buckle, showing movable side loops carrying the loosely-mounted bars.

Similar numerals of reference areemployed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

Referring to Figs. l and 2, the numeral 1 designates a frame having converging side loops 2 of rigid form, with semicircular exy tremities 3 to provide guides, and opposite closely-arranged connecting-rod 4, encircled by a close coil or winding 5, of wire or other On the semicircular extremities a plurality of looselymounted bars 6, 7, and 8 are mounted and have terminal eyes Elslidingly fitted to the said extremities, the said bars being also movable on the opposite side members of the loops 2, though this latter operation is not necessary to the result sought, as the bars work in clamping conjunction when located on the said extremities 3. One end l0 of a band 1l is looped over the bar 6 and, as shown, is secured by stitches, though it will be understood that this is not a necessary structural feature and that it is possible to hold the said end lO over-the bar 6 Without any securing means other than the clamping action or cooperation of the correlative bars, and which IOO having the bar S-bearing against the outer surface thereof and forcing the said end againstthe adjacent body portion of the band, the bars 7 and 8 being always held in close binding relation when strain is exerted on the said band 11. It will be observed that the tension or pull on the ends of the band will draw the several bars in close relation, no matter in what directionit may be ex` erted, except at such an angle as to destroy the binding eect of the bar 8 and which would be'in a plane above the latter or in such abnormal position as to render the band of no service in a practical manner. Hence the ends of the band are held iirmly when the service of the same is being practically carried ori-such, for instance, as in conveying luggage', to1 which the particular form of device shown by Figs. 1 and 2 is adapted.

The buckle member (shown by Figs. 3 and 4)' comprises end loops 13, which have parallel parts, and the front end cross-rods 14 and l5 are `brought closely together, and one of the same is continued at the center in an outward direction in the form of an articulating member 16, it being observed that this form of the device is produced from a single piece of wire of suitable gage and stiffness, and that the terminals are located Within the structure of `the said articulating member. The loops 13 are narrow in a transverse direction, and on one of the parts of each are movably mount-ed the terminal eyes 17 and 18 of loosely-mounted bars 19 and 20, and on opposite part of the loops the terminal eyes 21 of a third bar 22 are loosely mounted. The bars 19,20, and 22 always maintain the same relation or that specified, and a strap or band 23 has its extremity passed over the bar 19, and bearing thereagainst is the bar 20, exerting a pressure in one direction, and on the reverse side the bar 22 exerting a pressurein the opposite' direction, to thus form a double lock or a compound clamp, and the greater the strainon the band 23 the more closely the bars' 19, 20, and 22 will be drawn together and increase the obstruction to the accidentaldisengaging 0r slipping of the band, but permitting the latter when relaxed to be quickly adjusted by catching hold ofthe free end and exerting a pulling action thereon. Instead ofthe hook form of the articulating member 16, as shown, it will be understood that a companion eye or loop may be as easily formed on thecrossrod 15.A A p,

p he forms of the improved device thus far described each utilize three loosely-'mounted bars in establishing the clamping action on theband or belt, and in the form shown by Figs. 3 and 4 a very effective device is produced for use in connection with Wearingrralel Figs. 5 and 6 show' a further form of the improveddevice and wherein aframe 24 is illustrated having opposite double side loops 25 extending outwardly from a central lsupporting-plate 26, the outer extremities of the said loops 25 having a downward deliection, as at 27 to form seats which receive theopposite terminals of a pair of loosely-mounted bars 28 and 29, the bar 28 on each side being above the plane of the bar 29 and having the end of a band or belt 30 passed thereover and then downwardly inside of the lower bar 29. It will be seen from the foregoing that a down- Ward tension or strain on the bar 28 will cause the latter bar to move closely toward the lower bar 29, and a clamping action Will be strongly set up on the attached ends of the band or belt. pull on the' band or belt will permit a quick A relaxation of the strain or adjustment of either extremity of the latter, and if used as a luggage-carrier the vsaid band or belt 30 lnay be reduced to any size around the parcel or bulk, as may be desired, and in the present instance another convenient form ot' providing a handle is shown and consists of a bail 31, having its ends movably attached in depending ears 32 atr opposite ends by the plate 26. The opposite pairs of loops 35'are held in positive spaced relation in atransverse direction of the plate 26, and said plate being centrally applied the grip provided by the bail 31 will therefore be situated at a proper intermediate point.

In Figs. 7 and 8 a structure somewhat similar to that shown by Figs. 3 and 4 is disclosed, wherein two bars 33 and 34 are loosely mounted on the opposite side loops 13. The hook 35 in this instance is dierentfrom the hook or articulating member 16 of the device shown by Figs. 3 and 4, and in` this instance also, as before explained, the hook may have a connectingeye substituted therefor in order to provide a complete `buckle or oppositely-positioned parts respectively car rying a hook and an eye. operation in the device shown by Figs. 7 and 8 is similar to that described in the device shown by Figs. 3 and 4, with the exception of the depletion of the third bar andthe difference in result arising from said reduction.

In Fig. 9 another form of buckle is shown embodying the use of two loosely-mounted clamping or holding bars 36 and 37, which are carried by opposite loosely-mounted loops 38', having their front extremities freely movable in eyes 39 at the opposite ends of a front crossframe 40, provided with a central articulating member 41. 42 Will be permitted to have a vertical move- The principle of In this instance the band or belt.

IOO

IIO

ment, or an adjustment, for instance, anto variation from the supporting structures illustrated, is contemplated by this improvement, as long as the salient feature of the invention is preserved, and which consists oit' the use of a plurality of loosely-mounted bars on a support therefor of any character for holding the ends of a band, belt, or analogous device when strain or tension is exerted thereon and permittinga ready adjustment upon relaxation.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is- 1. An attaching device or buckle comprising a support and a plurality of loosely-mounted bars having sliding movement thereon for clamping the extremity of a belt, band or analogous device.

2. An attaching device or buckle, having opposite side loops, with a plurality of looselymounted bars having sliding movement thereon, to adj ustably receive the extremity of a belt, band or analogous device.

3. An attaching device or buckle, comprisin g a support having an articulating member,

and a plurality of loosely-mounted bars having sliding movement on the said support for engagement with a band, strap or belt.

4. An attaching device forabuckle, having a support, and a plurality of loosely-mounted bars having sliding movement on the said support, one of which is adapted to receive the extremity of a band or similar device therearound, andan adjacent one clam ping against the said attached extremity.

5. An attaching device or buckle, having a support provided with loops, and a plurality of loosely-mounted bars having their terminals engaging opposite portions of the said loops in part, and a remaining bar between the others.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

- GEORGE A. DE LONG Witnesses:

M. HAMPTON, T. O. HAMPTON. 

